Vulvodynia is a common but frequently misdiagnosed condition

Vulvodynia is often misdiagnosed as a yeast or bacterial infection, vaginitis or urinary tract infection and is mistreated accordingly. An estimated 14 US women suffer from the condition. Vulvodynia is chronic discomfort or pain in the vulvar region which is not caused by infection or skin disease. The condition exists in millions of US women. Symptoms include burning, itching, stinging, irritating feeling and a raw feeling which make exercising, walking and sitting uncomfortable or painful. The condition can also interfere with a person’s sex life. The condition can exist for months or years. The condition occurs in women who are prone to yeast infections, use deodorants or douches, have soap or detergent allergies, use antibiotics frequently, have genital laser or surgery treatment and have genital warts. A link has also been established to weak pelvic floor muscles and nerve irritation. Cyclic vulvovaginitis involves a recurrence of the condition preceding and following the menstrual cycle. Once diagnosed, the condition can be effectively treated with an antifungal called Fluconazole and sometimes physical therapy and calcium supplements are also necessary. Vulvar vestibulitis syndrome occurs in women aged 18 to 45 and is treated with hormones and biofeedback. Women prone to vulvar vestibulitis syndrome should avoid harsh soaps, petroleum jelly, bubble baths, douches and deodorant sprays in genital area. Also, loose, cotton clothing should be worn and the genital area frequently washed with water.

Source: summary of medical news story as reported by The Johns Hopkins News-Letter

Related Disease Topics:

• Vulvodynia
• Vaginitis
• Yeast infection
• Bacterial infection
• Skin disease
• Infection
• Cyclic vulvovaginitis
• Fungal infection
• Weak pelvic floor muscles
• Vulvar vestibulitis

Related Symptom Topics:

• Burning
• Itching
• Stinging
• Irritating feeling
• Raw feeling

Article Source Details

About: Vulvodynia is a common but frequently misdiagnosed condition

Date: 19 November 2004

Source: The Johns Hopkins News-Letter

Author: Esther Hwang

URL: http://www.jhunewsletter.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/11/19/419d89d6d4001

Related Medical Topics

This summary article refers to the following medical categories:

• Misdiagnosis (type of Medical misadventure)
• Vulvodynia
• Misdiagnosis of vaginitis
• Misdiagnosis of yeast infection
• Misdiagnosis of bacterial infection
• Misdiagnosis of skin disease
• Misdiagnosis of infection
• Misdiagnosis of cyclic vulvovaginitis
• Misdiagnosis of fungal infection
• Misdiagnosis of weak pelvic floor muscles
• Misdiagnosis of burning
• Misdiagnosis of itching
• Misdiagnosis of stinging
• Misdiagnosis of irritating feeling
• Misdiagnosis of raw feeling
• Undiagnosed
• Undiagnosed and vulvodynia
• Undiagnosed and vulvar vestibulitis
• Misdiagnosis of vulvar vestibulitis
• Undiagnosed and cyclic vulvovaginitis
• Undiagnosed and fungal infection

More News Topics

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